Gateway Bowls Club still stands for 90 years and counting
The Gateway Bowls Club is determined to continue after 90
years of cricketing despite the risk of losing their bowling green.
Founded as Buckland Mill Bowls Club in 1929, the members played at
their bowling green in Crabble mill. The club continue to play throughout the
Second World War.
The group opened the Buckland Mill Sports and Social Club in
the 1980s.
The club hit troubled times when the closing of the paper
mill saw the Crabble site taken away and leaving them without the grounds to
play on.
They found a temporary home on the spare bowling green of the
Folkestone Park Bowls Club.
With the aid Dover Harbour Sports and Social Club, their own
savings and money from developers, a new bowling house and clubhouse was fitted
in Whitfield as a permanent home in 2007.
Changing their name to Gateway Bowls Club, the membership
has grown successfully.
The clubhouse and green is now maintained by volunteers were
given a lease by the Port of Dover to continue operating despite the lack of
funds or their parent club, Gateway B.C.
The Club is at risk of losing their new home due to another
offer for the facility.
Luckily, The Port has given The Bowls Club first refusal on
purchasing this site.
Gateway Bowls Club hopes to receive some grants to save the
club from financial burden for years to come.
Written for the Deal Kent Mercury Online